Swinging door mechanism



5am. 2&3, 3936. Y E. l.. SHAFFER ZZQEm SWINGING DOOR MECHANI SM Filed June 6, 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Patented Jan. 28, 1936 UNITED STATES FATENT OFFICE 20 Claims.

This invention is a novel sidewall swinging door `unit particularly adapted for use in garages and the like, in which a plurality of door sections hinged together at their adjacent edges are movable as a unit to or from open to closed positions, the elements for operatively carrying the door assembly being adapted for installation adjacent the side walls of the garage.

The present application is a continuation-inpart of my co-pending application Serial 391,445 filed September 9th, 1929, and covers certain novel improvements in the apparatus and essential features of the mechanism..

The principal objects of my invention are to provide a unit as above described which will be easy to operate and at the same time will be stable, strong, and weather-proof, and will not bind; also to provide a unit which Will be completely housed within the garage or other enclosure in any and all positions of the doors; which will require very little space for operation; and which will not be affected by any twisting of the frame of the garage or other building; also to provide novel electric means for opening and closing the door assembly.

Other objects are to provide a unit of the above type having an improved base unit provided with a guide channel for the door carriage the channel being provided with anti-friction rollers; also to provide an improved yieldable toggle means for aligning the door sections; to provide novel counterbalancing means for the door assembly; and to provide a novel carriage to which the door is pivotally attached.

Other minor objects of the invention will be hereinafter set forth.

I will explain the invention with Areference to the accompanying drawings which illustrate one practical embodiment thereof to enable others to adopt and use the same; and will summarize in the claims the novel features of construction, and novel combinations of parts, for which protection is desired.

In said drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation partly in section of the side-wall unit, showing in full lines the door assembly in closed position; and in dotted lines the door assembly in opened position.

Fig. 2'is a view similar to Fig. l, but showing the door assembly in partly opened position.

Fig. 3 is a section on the line 3 3, Fig. 1.

' Fig. 4 is a section on the line 4 4, Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a section on the line 5-'-5, Fig. 4. 'Fig 6 is a phantom perspective view of the counterbalancing means.

Fig. 7 is a section through one of the sheaves of the counterbalancing means.

Fig. 8 is a rear elevation of the door assembly when in closed position.

Fig. 9 is a longitudinal section through the electric carriage of the power operating means.

Fig. 10 is a transverse section through the same.

Fig. l1 is an enlarged detail.

Fig. l2 is an enlarged plan View of the lock for the door assembly, also the operating means therefor.

Fig. 13 is a. section on the line l3-I3, Fig. 12.

Fig. 14 is a section on the line IIL-I4, Fig. 12.

As shown, the sidewall unit comprises a pair of base units adapted to be secured at opposite sides of each door opening S; and if a double door opening the inner base units may be placed behind the center supporting column of the door opening. The base units support the middle door section B of the door assembly A, B, C, the door sections A and C being respectively hinged to the upper and lower edges of door section B.

Said pairs of base units, while supporting the carriage of the middle door section B also control the opening and closing movements of the upper and lower door sections A and C, and for this purpose `each unit has a compound curvature consisting of an arcuate channel la embracing the full width of door B when in closed (lowered) position and the full width of the door B when in open (raised) position to permit operation of the carriage 2 of middle door B through an arc of slightly more than 90 degrees.

At each end of arcuate channel la is a reverse curved guide lb adapted to align doors A and C with door B when in either lowered or raised positions, by means of rollers A and C' on doors A or C engaging the reverse curved guides Ib and being directed against the reversed curved portions thereof by means of cooperating guides Ic suitably spaced from guides Ib to embrace the rollers AI and C' therebetween. Substantially tangent to but spaced from the ends of channel Ea are frame members icZ secured together at a point opposite the center of channel la said frames id being connected to the ends of reverse curve plates ib, and carrying in their bosoms the guides ic.

Preferably each base plate I is substantially the same as that disclosed in my co-pending application, Serial No. 542,672, led June 6, 1931 and comprises a fabricated preformed metallic unit designed to utilize as little space within the garage as possible, and dilers primarily from the base plate shown in my co-pending application Serial No. 391,445 by omission of the counterbalancing arm.V The arcuate portion l a of the base plate preferably consists of a channel iron in which the carriage shoe 2 of corresponding arcuate shape is adapted to run. Preferably rollers le (Fig. 5) spaced about 3 inches apart are journaled in the bottom of the channel l a upon which the carriage shoe 2 runs in order tov` reduce friction to a minimum. Each shoe 2 is prevented from leaving the arcuate channel la by the provision of a flexible traveler 2a slidably engaging the underside of the channel la over which the shoe moves. The channels la should be of suicient width to allo-w ample roomfor slight shifting of the assembly without binding, and a roller 2b (Fig. 3) of slightly smaller diameter than theY channel width is placed at each end of shoe 2 to overcome any possibility of the shoes wedging or binding in the channels due to twist. Hence, even though the arcuate length of the shoes 2 is necessarily short, their length being only Vabout one- `third the height of the entire door assembly, my arrangement is free from the drag and slamming which an assembly with a multiplicity of bearings and guides would be subjected to.

The shoes 2 in each pair of opposed channels la are connected by a suitable framing 2c whereby each pair of shoes forms a carriage unit.

The middle door B carries a bracket 3 which is pivoted as at 3a (Fig. 4) at each end to its adjacent shoe 2 whereby the door B may swivel from its normal substantially tangent position Awith respect to the channel la as the door assembly is raised and lowered.

Toggle means are provided for causing the hinging movement of one end door such as C to be transmitted to the other end door A during opening and closing. Slotted brackets 4 are provided adjacent the outer corners of each door A and C, and arms 4a pivoted as at 4b adjacent their centers on the corners of the shoe frame 2c carry pins 4c on their outer ends slidably engaging theslotted brackets. The inner ends of arms lla',V are slotted as at 4d and have a pivoted connection 4e to a common sliding block 2d adapted to slide in a guideway Ze disposed substantially normal to the plane of door B. Springs 4f interposed between the inner corners of doors A and C and the pins le at the outer ends of the arms 4a tend to normally yieldably maintain doors A and C extending into the plane of door B, and cause the door sections to follow the flattest Ypossible lcurve in traversing the base units.

In the upper corner of each base plate is a curvedA guide plate Ik attached at its lower end to the bosom of the vertical angle frame ld above the roller A (when the doors are closed) the upper end o-f the plate Ik:V yieldably pressing against the bosom of the horizontal frame Id, as shown in Figs. l and 2. y

YAt the beginning of the lift upward, the upper guide roller A' strikes the curved guide plate llc to break the Vtoggle linkage and assist in the smooth easy opening operation, and furthermore the bottom Aof door C is drawn inwardly by guide rollers C ,onlower door C engaging the reverse curve guide lc of their guide slots in the'base units and by the toggle action of arms 4a the top of door A is automatically simultaneously swung inwardly a corresponding amount.V In closing the operation is the reverse to that of Y the opening movement, the roller C striking the guide Ic to break the toggle.

the curved guide plate llc and roller A striking The toggle blocks 2d may carry rollers for easy movement in sustain the fully open and fully closed positions of the o-uter sections of the door assembly.

The locking device (Figs. 12-13-l4) for the sidewall unit is carried by the center door section B. It comprises a horizontal rod 5 extending across the width of door B opposite the jambs S and journaled in bearings 5a. At each end is tted a pawl 5b. On each jamb S is secured a catch block 5c. and on a shaft f5 extending through door B is a worm @a meshing with the quadrant gear 5d. Fixed on the same shaft 6 is a lock disc 6b. On the end of shaft 6 extending through door section B is a loop handle (5c. For inside operation a handle 5d is provided. notches 6e in locking disc 6b is a Yale lock "l, with key barrel on outside and knob operation on inside. To operate from the outside of the door, insert a key in lock 'l and lift bolt 'laY of Yale lock l' from notch 6e of lockingdisc Eb, turn loop handle 6c to revolve rod 5 so as to swing pawls 5b back from engagement with catch blocks 5c. A sharp pull upwardly on loop handle 6c will then cause the door assembly to open.

In order to counterbalance the weight of the doors A, B and C, I provide a shaft 8 (Figs. l, 2, 6) in the upper portion of the garage parallel with the door B, said shaft 3 having drums, sheaves,

or sprockets 8a and 3b respectively opposite the upper ends of the base units. Cables or Chains 8b are'passed around the drums 8a and 8b and pass down the base units lying in the channels la, the cables passing out through openings in the tops of the shoes 2 and brought together at the center of door B and connected to turnbuckles 8d. At the points where the cables pass through the shoes 2 small rollers 8e (Fig. 4) are preferably provided to permit free passing and to protect the cable 8c against wear. The cables 8c will pass with little friction over the rollers le in the channels la and over the upper reverse curve portions lb. Each cable 8c winding around the narrow drums 8a or 8b in single tier will increase the leverage in favor of the door assembly as the assembly is raised to fully open position, while the weighted cable 8f on the weight drum 8g on shaft 8 decreases in lifting power as its unwinding layers are removed towards the cen-V ter, the change in leverage between the two com- On rod 5 is a quadrant worm gear 5dV In position to engage Figs. 1 and 2 also disclose the power means for K opening and closing the doors A, B, C. VThe electric means is adapted to be bracketed in place above the Ycenter of the door assembly and preferably comprises a pair of side rails 28 (Figs. 9 and l0) carrying chain sprockets 3l and 32 (Fig. l) journaled adjacent the ends of the rails, and one sprocket may bemounted in adjustable bearings. Around the sprockets 3l, 32 runs a chain l; and I provide plates 29 (Figs. 9 and l0) engaging the inner faces of the runsof chain 3i) respectively to prevent sagging thereof. One of Y the links of the chain 39 carries a lug 38a adapted to engage either pawls 36 or 3l of a carriage 34, mounted to roll upon side rails 28, the rails 28 forming the track on which carriage l-34 is moved when the lug 30a of the chain engages the pawls 33 or 3l. Carriage 34 is attached by a link 44 to the top of the door A. Sprocket 3l may be the driving sprocket rotated by a motor controlled by a master switch.

Each pawl 38 or 3l consists of a roller mounted on the end of a pivoted L-shaped arm 36a (Fig. Il) with a spring clip 36h mounted on the arm between the roller and the heel of the L but spaced from the roller. The other leg of the arm 36a. extends to the side of the carriage 34 into position to strike against an abutment 28a or 28h (Fig. l). When making contact lug 30a forces past the spring clip 36h and lies between the clip 38h and the roller thereby positively controlling the movement of carriage 34 until the release is made at the end of the prescribed travel of the carriage by side arm 33a striking against the tripping block 23a or 28h provided at each end of the carriage travel, thereby swinging the roller pawls 33 er 3? to one side and allowing the lug 38a. to pass thereby.

Above the path of travel'of carriage 34 is a bar 56 (Fig. 1) upon which is mounted a three way switch 43 having its trigger engaged with a slide bar 48 mounted in bearings parallel with the side frames 28. Bar 4E! is provided with stops 4| and 42 mounted adjacent the ends thereof adapted to engage trip 38 (Fig. 2) carried by the carriage 34. When carriage 34 has drawn the doors A, B, C, into open position and is at the end of its specified travel, trip 38 engages the stop 42 on reversing rod 40. The spring tension of trip 38 is sufficient to slide the rod 40 to sh` t the contacts of switch 43. Adjustment of stop 42 on reversing rod 40 will give the desired length of travel for carriage 34. Pawl 36 will then pass the driving lug 30a of chain 38 and the carriage 34 will come to rest. Similarly the pawl 31 when engaged with lug 30a on the upper run of chain 38 will drive carriage 34 in the opposite direction, to close the doors A, B, C, and when at the end of its closing movement trip 38 will engage stop 4| and stop the motor and the carriage will come to rest. In operation, upon throwing the switch for opening movement the motor will set chain in motion and lug 30a will engage pawl 35 and move the carriage 34 which is connected by link 44 to top of door A, and thus draw the counterbalanced door assembly open. As carriage 34 nears end of its opening travel trip 38 on the carriage engages stop 42 of bar 46 and shifts the contacts of switch 43. To close the doors, turn switch 43 to closing contact and the carriage is 'drawn to closed end of travel by lug 38a engaging pawl 3l, the stop 4I shifting the contacts at the end of the carriage travel and stopping the motor. The belt 3i] runs in the same direction for both movements, but the direction of motion of carriage 34 is governed by the engagement of lug 30a with pawls 36 or 3l.

I do not limit my invention to the exact form shown in the drawings for obviously changes may be made therein within the scope of the claims.

I claim:-

1. In combination, a swinging door comprising a plurality of relatively movable sections; a movable carrier at each side of said door and connected therewith and adapted to move the door from its fully closed position into its fully opened position; a member movably mounted on each carrier; and means operated by the members for yieldably aligning the several sections edgewise as they move into fully closed or into fully opened positions.

2. In a combination as set forth in claim 1, said means comprising toggle links connecting the end door sections, and yieldable means urging the links to align the sections.

3. In a combination as set forth in claim l, power means for operating the carrier in either direction; and means for automatically stopping the carrier at the limits of its travel.

4'. In combination, a swinging door comprising a plurality of relatively movable sections; a movable carrier at each side of said door adapted to move the same from its fully closed position into fully opened position; guides adjacent the extreme limits of movement of the door; and means operated by said guides aligning the sections edgewise as the door nears its fully closed or fully opened position.

5. In a combination as set forth in claim 4, a base unit at each side of the door carrying the carrier, each unit comprising a curved track for the carrier; guide portions for the means extending from the ends of the track; frame members connecting the track and guides; and anti-friction devices` mounted in the track for engagement by the carrier.

6. In combination, a swinging door comprising a plurality of hinged sections; a movable carrier ateach side of said door connected to the middle section and adapted to move the same from fully closed position into fully opened position; toggle links connecting the end door sections for imparting the movement of one end door section to the other; guides adjacent the extreme limits of movement of the door; and devices on the end door sections engaging said guides for aligning the sections edgewise as the door approaches fully closed or fully opened positions.

7. In a combination as set forth in claim 6, means yieldably resisting movement of the toggle links and for yieldably aligning the door sections.

8. In a combination as set forth in claim 6, said toggle links being pivoted on the carrier, the outer ends of the links having a slotted connection with the end door sections; and a block slidably mounted on the carrier, the inner ends of both links having a slotted connection with the block.

9. In a combination as set forth in claim 6, a base unit for each carrier comprising a curved channel; guide portions for the means extending from the ends of the channel; frame members connecting the channel and guides; and a series of rollers mounted in the bosom of the channel for engagement with the carrier.

10. In a combination as set forth in claim 6, a shaft disposed parallel with the door sections; flexible members extending from t-he carriers and wound around the said shaft; and an oppositely wound weighted member on the shaft for counterbalancing the door sections and carrier.

11. In combination, a swinging door having a plurality of hinged sections; a movable carrier pivotally connected to one section and adapted to move said door from its fully closed position into its fully opened position; a member movably mounted on the carrier; and means operated by the member for aligning the sections edgewise as they move into fully closed or into fully opened positions and for flexing the hinged sections to substantially conform with the swing openingV or closing movementfand means for causing the other end door to re-align the sections at the end of the said movement.

13. In a combination as set forth in'claim 6, said toggle links being'pivoted on the carrier, the outerY ends of the links having a slotted connection with the end door sections, the slots being disposed at an angle to the face of the end door sections; and a block slidably mounted on the carrier, the inner ends of both links having a slotted connection with the block.

14. In a combination as set forth in claim 11, a shaft disposed parallel with the Vdoor sections; iieXible members extending from the carriers at each side of the door and Wound around the said shaft; and an oppositely Wound Weighted member on the shaft for counterbalancing the Weight of the door sections. A

15. In combination a swinging door having middle and enc?. do-or sections hinged together, an arcuate track at each side of the door opening having reverse curved guides at each end there sections adapted to enterV the reverse: curved.

guides; and means for causing the hinging movement of o-ne end door to be imparted to the other. 16. In a combination as set forth in claim 15,

Vsaid means comprising a toggle block slidably mounted on the carrier; and pivoted links connecting theblock and the outer ends Vof the end doors.

aogazoi 1'?. In a combination as set forth in claim 1 5, said means comprising toggle links being pivoted on the carrier, the outer ends of the links having a slotted connection with the end door sections, the slots being disposed at an angle to the faces of the end door sections; and a block slidably mounted on the carrier, the inner ends of both links having a slotted connection With the block.

18. In combination with a unit as set forth in claim 15, means for operating the door assembly comprising a track, a carriage adapted to traverse the track andk connected with the door assembly; powerrmeans for driving the carriage in either direction; and means on the carriage for automatically stopping same at the end of its specified travel.

19. In a combination as set forth in claim V15, a shaft disposed parallel With the door sections; flexible members extending from the carriers at each'side of the door and Wound around said shaft, means for adjusting the lengths of said members; Vand an oppositely Wound Weighted member normally urging rotation of the shaft to l counterbalance the Weight of the door sections.

20. In combination, Ya swinging door having middle and end door sections hinged together; arcuate channels at each side of the door opening; a carrier movable in the arcuate channels and pivotally carrying the middle door section; anti-friction devices in the bosoms of the channels; anti-binding rollers mounted on the ends of the carrier and engaging the side Walls of the channels; and means connecting the end door sections and carrier for causing the hinging movement of one end door to be imparted to the other.

ERNEST L. SHAFFER. 

